Golden age of cinema still the number one

When it comes to the nation's favourite happy-ending films, the golden oldie movies of yesterday are still top of the charts according to a survey conducted by RIAS, the over 50s specialist insurer.

Despite being over 60 years old, the UK's favourite happy ending film of all time is the classic It's a Wonderful Life with James Stewart.

It's a Wonderful Life is the ultimate 'feel good' film directed by Frank Capra and has been a firm favourite of critics and fans since its release. This high-spirited Christmas tale stars the unforgettable James Stewart as George Bailey, the man who receives the greatest Christmas gift of all.

Also in the top ten were classics including Grease, a firm favourite with the young of today, even though it was made nearly 30 years ago and The Sound of Music (1965) also proved to be much-loved classic, despite modern big budget, high technology offerings including Shrek vying for our affections.

The nation's top 10 happy ending films are:

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
2. Pretty Woman (1990)
3. Dirty Dancing (1987)
4. The Sound of Music (1965)
5. Shrek (2001)
6. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
7. Grease (1978)
8. ET (1982)
9. Love Actually (2003)
10. Ghost (1990)

Janet Connor, managing director of RIAS, comments: "We all love the feel-good factor that we get from watching films that have happy endings and this seems to be equally true of both men and women, young and old alike, across the country, as evidenced by our survey results.

"We are delighted to be announcing our sponsorship of Odeon senior screen and will be carrying this 'happy endings' theme into our promotion of their reduced price admission for the over 50s."

The survey, commissioned on behalf of RIAS, was carried out to coincide with the launch of RIAS' major new sponsorship of ODEON Senior Screen, which offers the over 50s access to regular, reduced-price cinema screenings across the country on weekday mornings.